DVD Review: Rodney Yee's Power Yoga Collection

So, I was really disappointed in this DVD.

Ironically, even after trying all these new yoga routines, my favorite is still my Flow Yoga: Strength and Flexibility DVD.  I'll explain why a little later.



I had heard such good things about Rodney Yee and the reviews of this DVD were stellar.  My experience with power yoga is that it is a fairly fast-paced, asthanga-based practice, so I expected these routines to be fairly challenging, which is what I was looking for, since originally I had planned to start doing yoga first thing in the morning.

I really didn't find any of these routines to be challenging at all!  Here is what I thought of the 3 routines:

1.Yoga Burn is actually so slow paced it made me feel like it was a yoga-tae chi hybrid.  Definitely requires focus to keep your movements so slow, but I found this routine much better suited for someone looking for a meditative, spiritual practice than someone looking for something at all athletic.

2. Total Body Power Yoga was a fairly basic, intermediate level practice at best and was just okay...again, fell way below my expectations.  Way too much forward bending for me...my hamstrings felt overstretched at the end.

3.  Yoga Conditioning for Athletes was the one I was most excited to try.  Again, somewhat disappointing.  I was totally weirded out by the first part being done seated on a chair...that's a first for me in yoga!  But in the end it was pretty neat.  The chair is used as a prop with some pretty basic lower body stretches.  We don't have an appropriate chair, but I was able to use our futon in our rec room for it just fine.  Again, I wouldn't call this a super advanced routine, but it is a decent stretch.  This one too, focused on too much forward bending and groin stretching for my liking.

Honestly, nothing I have found out there yet compares to my Flow Yoga DVD.  It is an awesome value because it has so many customizable routines, and I the teacher provides a lot of detailed instruction about breathing, positioning and where to put your weight, which is really important in any yoga class, but even more so for those of us practicing at home without the benefit of a live instructor to correct our postures and technique. It's the ideal pace for me, and perfectly balanced between being physically challenging and restorative.  I always feel both physically and psychologically refreshed afterwards. The setting is serene and the end of the cool down segment has a nice meditation.  I also love that you can pick and choose between so many different routines which focus on different things.  The general practice and hip routines are my favorites.  The only thing that isn't fabulous is the background music, but its relatively benign.   I'll use my new DVDs here and there to get some more variety, but I highly recommend the Flow Yoga DVD, it rocks!